Image reading apparatus, image recording medium and image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

In order to provide an image reading apparatus, which can read images on a monochromatically developed color photographic film, it is provided a reading conditions changing portion, which changes reading conditions of sensors on the basis of information applied to the color photosensitive material, or is provided light sources which irradiate light, having at least one of wavelength and light quantity being different from that of the other, at an emulsion surface side and a support surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an imagerecording medium and an image forming apparatus. Specifically, thepresent invention relates to an image reading apparatus, which readssilver images recorded on a color photosensitive material on the basisof light reflected by the color photosensitive material and lighttransmitted through the color photosensitive material; an imagerecording medium, on which image data or the like read by the imagereading apparatus is recorded; and an image forming apparatus, whichregenerates the image data recorded on the image recording medium so asto form images.

2. Description of the Related Art

A photosensitive material using silver halide has been developed moreand more in recent years, and at present, high-quality color images canbe easily obtained. For example, in a method generally called colorphotography, the photography is performed by using a color negativefilm, and image information recorded on the color negative film, whichhas been developed, is optically printed onto a color photographicprinting paper so as to obtain a color print. In recent years, thisprocess has been developed to a high degree, and large-scale centerswhich produce a large number of color prints with high-efficiency, i.e.,large laboratories, or small and simple printer processors located atstores, i.e., mini-laboratories have been spread. As a result, everyonecan easily enjoy color photography.

A principle of color photography which is popular at present employscolor reproduction due to a subtractive color process. In a generalcolor negative, photosensitive layers using silver halide emulsions,which are photosensitive elements in which photosensitivity is impartedto blue, green and red areas, are provided on a transmissive support,and so-called color couplers which form yellow, magenta and cyan dyes,each of which is a hue which is to become a complementary color, arecombined and contained in the photosensitive layers. The color negativefilm, which has been exposed image-wise by photography, is developed incolor developer containing an aromatic primary amine developing agent.At this time, the exposed silver halide particles are developed, i.e.,reduced by the developing agent so as to produce metallic silver, andsimultaneously produced oxidants of the developing agent are coupledwith the above-mentioned color couplers so as to form each dye. Themetallic silver (developed silver) generated by the development andunreacted silver halide are respectively removed by bleaching and fixingprocesses so as to obtain color images. A color photographic printingpaper, which is a color photosensitive material, in which photosensitivelayers having a combination of photosensitive wavelength areas and colorhues which are similar to those of the film are applied onto areflective support, is optically exposed through the developed colornegative film; and the color photographic printing paper is subjected tothe same color developing, bleaching and fixing processes. As a result,color prints consisting of color images in which original scenes arereproduced can be obtained.

These systems are being widely spread at present. However, it is beingmore and more strongly required that the simplicity of the systems beimproved. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A)No. 6-295035 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,510, an image forming method isdescribed, in which, without forming dye images, image informationrepresenting image-exposure for each of blue, red and green portions isextracted from silver halide color photographic elements, i.e., silverimages. In this method, photosensitive material can be designed withoutusing coloring material, and even if coloring material is used, imagescan be read without coloring. Further, in this method, one image is reada number of times at predetermined intervals, and a satisfactory imagein a wide dynamic range is obtained.

In a case in which images are read from a monochromatically developedcolor photographic film in this manner, reading conditions, which arecompletely different from those in a general case in which images areread from a color-developed color photographic film or from amonochromatically developed monochromatic photographic film, arerequired. However, in conventional processing systems, themonochromatically developed color photographic film could not bedistinguished from the other films, and thus, such problem that readingis not suitably performed was caused.

Moreover, a color photographic film is originally used to formtransmitted images. While a color paper efficiently reflects light by abaryta layer thereof, a color photographic film does not have a functionfor efficiently reflecting incident light, and thus, a large quantity oflight is lost at the time of image reading. Therefore, there was suchproblem that, if the quantity of light is not large or a lot of time isnot spent when the reading is performed, it is difficult forphotoelectric conversion elements to obtain sufficient light and outputsignals with a high SN-ratio.

Further, when images are read from a support side (base side), ananti-halation layer consisting of silver colloid damps the light.Therefore, there was such problem that, if an even larger quantity oflight is not irradiated or if a longer time is not taken for reading,the signals with a high SN-ratio cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image readingapparatus, which can set reading conditions after clearly identifyingthe film as a monochromatically developed color photographic film, andwhich can obtain images in wide dynamic ranges. It is another object ofthe present invention to provide an image reading apparatus, in whichreproduction of a highlight portion and a shadow portion of an image canbe adjusted while the image is being viewed, and in which a moresatisfactory image in a wider dynamic range can be obtained; and whichcan easily cope with reorder and remake.

Further, it is still another object of the present invention to providean image reading apparatus, which can read images without it beingnecessary to irradiate a large quantity of light or without requiring along time.

The first aspect of the present invention is an image reading apparatusfor reading an image recorded on a color photosensitive material, whichhas at least three types of photosensitive layers containing bluephotosensitive, green photosensitive and red photosensitive silverhalide emulsions on a transmissive support, and which has beenprocessed, after image exposure, so as to generate silver images in eachof the photosensitive layers, the apparatus comprising: light sources,which irradiate light at an emulsion surface side and a support surfaceside of the color photosensitive material, respectively; sensors, whichread reflected images corresponding to lights reflected by each of theemulsion surface side and the support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material, and which read a transmitted imagecorresponding to a light transmitted through the color photosensitivematerial; and a reading conditions changing portion, which changesreading conditions of the sensors on the basis of information applied tothe color photosensitive material.

The second aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein the reading conditions include atleast one of reading timing and number of times of reading.

The third aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein the information is one ofinformation instructing reading in accordance with a state of the silverimage, or information representing a type of the color photosensitivematerial.

The fourth aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein the reading conditions changingportion changes the reading timing by changing a conveying speed of thecolor photosensitive material.

The fifth aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein the sensors are area sensors, andthe reading conditions changing portion changes the reading timing ofthe area sensors in a state in which the color photosensitive materialis not being conveyed.

The sixth aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, further comprising a data composingportion, in which a predetermined weighting factor is applied to each ofimage data of one frame image, which image data is obtained by a numberof readings, so as to make the weighted image data into one compositeimage data.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is an image recordingmedium, on which image data read by an image reading apparatus, togetherwith reading conditions under which an image relating to the image datais read, are recorded; wherein the image reading apparatus is anapparatus for reading an image recorded on a color photosensitivematerial, which has at least three types of photosensitive layerscontaining blue photosensitive, green photosensitive and redphotosensitive silver halide emulsions on a transmissive support, andwhich has been processed, after image exposure, so as to generate silverimages in each of the photosensitive layers, the apparatus comprising:light sources, which irradiate light at an emulsion surface side and asupport surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively;sensors, which read reflected images corresponding to lights reflectedby each of the emulsion surface side and the support surface side of thecolor photosensitive material, and which read a transmitted imagecorresponding to a light transmitted through the color photosensitivematerial; and a reading conditions changing portion, which changesreading conditions of the sensors on the basis of information applied tothe color photosensitive material.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is an image formingapparatus, which regenerates a plurality of image data for one frameimage, which image data are recorded on an image recording medium, byapplying a predetermined weighting factor in accordance with conditionsunder which the image is read, so as to form the image; wherein theimage recording medium is a medium, on which image data read by an imagereading apparatus, together with reading conditions under which an imagerelating to the image data is read, are recorded; wherein the imagereading apparatus is an apparatus for reading an image recorded on acolor photosensitive material, which has at least three types ofphotosensitive layers containing blue photosensitive, greenphotosensitive and red photosensitive silver halide emulsions on atransmissive support, and which has been processed, after imageexposure, so as to generate silver images in each of the photosensitivelayers, the apparatus comprising: light sources, which irradiate lightat an emulsion surface side and a support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material, respectively; sensors, which read reflectedimages corresponding to lights reflected by each of the emulsion surfaceside and the support surface side of the color photosensitive material,and which read a transmitted image corresponding to a light transmittedthrough the color photosensitive material; and a reading conditionschanging portion, which changes reading conditions of the sensors on thebasis of information applied to the color photosensitive material.

The ninth aspect of the present invention according to the first aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein the light sources irradiatelight, having at least one of wavelength and light quantity beingdifferent from that of the other, at the emulsion surface side and thesupport surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively.

The tenth aspect of the present invention according to the ninth aspectis an image reading apparatus, wherein quantity of light irradiated atthe support surface side and quantity of light irradiated at theemulsion surface side can be changed in accordance with the type of thecolor photosensitive material.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention according to the ninthaspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the sensors are areasensors.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is an image readingapparatus for reading an image recorded on a color photosensitivematerial, which has at least three types of photosensitive layerscontaining blue photosensitive, green photosensitive and redphotosensitive silver halide emulsions on a transmissive support, andwhich has been processed, after image exposure, so as to generate silverimages in each of the photosensitive layers, the apparatus comprising:light sources, which irradiate light at an emulsion surface side and asupport surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively;and area sensors, which read reflected images corresponding to lightsreflected by each of the emulsion surface side and the support surfaceside of the color photosensitive material, and which read a transmittedimage corresponding to a light transmitted through the colorphotosensitive material.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention according to the twelfthaspect is an image reading apparatus, which extracts property quantitiesfor reflected images and a transmitted image read by the sensors, andmakes the reflected images and the transmitted image into one compositeimage on the basis of the extracted property quantities, so that thereflected images and the transmitted image are coincident with eachother.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention according to the twelfthaspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the light sourcesirradiate light having different wavelengths, at the emulsion surfaceside and the support surface side of the color photosensitive material,respectively, such that the reflected images and the transmitted imageare simultaneously read.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention according to the twelfthaspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the light sourcesirradiate light alternately at the emulsion surface side and the supportsurface side, respectively, such that the reflected image at theemulsion surface side and the reflected image at the support surfaceside are alternately read, and the transmitted image is readsimultaneously with one of the reflected image at the emulsion surfaceside and the reflected image at the support surface side.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention according to the twelfthaspect is an image reading apparatus, which reads one image a number oftimes in accordance with a state of the silver image.

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention according to the twelfthaspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the light sourcesirradiate infrared light.

The eighteenth aspect of the present invention according to the firstaspect is an image reading apparatus, comprising: a first light source,which irradiates light at the emulsion surface side of the colorphotosensitive material; a second light source, which irradiates lightat the support surface side of the color photosensitive material; afirst sensor, which reads a reflected image at the emulsion surfaceside, which image corresponds to light reflected by the emulsion surfaceside of the color photosensitive material; and a second sensor, whichreads a reflected image at the support surface side, which imagecorresponds to light reflected by the support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material.

The nineteenth aspect of the present invention according to theeighteenth aspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the secondsensor reads a transmitted image which corresponds to light irradiatedfrom the first light source and transmitted through the colorphotosensitive material.

The twentieth aspect of the present invention according to thenineteenth aspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein the firstsensor reads a transmitted image which corresponds to light irradiatedfrom the second light source and transmitted through the colorphotosensitive material.

The twenty-first aspect of the present invention according to theeighteenth aspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein reading rangeson the color photosensitive material by the first sensor are set so thatadjacent reading ranges partially overlap with each other.

The twenty-second aspect of the present invention according to theeighteenth aspect is an image reading apparatus, wherein reading rangeson the color photosensitive material by the second sensor are set sothat adjacent reading ranges partially overlap with each other.

According to the first aspect, the reading conditions changing portionchanges the reading conditions of the sensors on the basis of theinformation applied (added) to the color photosensitive material.Therefore, after clearly identifying the film as a monochromaticallydeveloped color photographic film, the reading conditions can bechanged, and images in wide dynamic ranges can be obtained.

At least one of the reading timing and the number of times of readingwhich are the reading conditions according to the second aspect can bechanged. Further, according to the fourth aspect, the reading conditionschanging portion may change the reading timing by changing a conveyingspeed of the color photosensitive material, or, according to the fifthaspect, when the sensors are area sensors, the reading conditionschanging portion may change the reading timing of the area sensors in astate in which the color photosensitive material is not being conveyed.

According to the third aspect, the information is one of informationinstructing reading in accordance with a state of the silver image, orinformation representing a type of the color photosensitive material.

A silver density in a silver image increases in accordance with lightexposure. When the silver density is extremely low, sometimes the imagecannot be read, and on the other hand, when the silver density isextremely high, the image is difficult to read. Accordingly, accordingto the sixth aspect, a predetermined weighting factor is applied to eachof image data obtained by a number of readings and a composite imagedata is formed. For example, the one silver image is read a number oftimes, and then, image data read after development has been proceededmuch (carried out) is used for low silver density portions, and dataread at the beginning of development is used for high silver densityportions. As a result, a satisfactory image with a high SN-ratio and ina wider dynamic range can be obtained. In other words, a user can adjustreproduction of a highlight portion and a shadow portion of an imagewhile viewing the image, and can easily handle reorder and remake.

According to the seventh aspect, the image data read by the imagereading apparatus, together with the reading conditions under which animage relating to the image data is read, are recorded on the imagerecording medium. If the image recording medium is returned to a user,the user himself can adjust reproduction of the highlight portion andthe shadow portion of the image by using the image forming apparatus ofthe eighth aspect. This image forming apparatus regenerates the imagedata for one frame image, which image data are recorded on the imagerecording medium, by applying a predetermined weighting factor inaccordance with the conditions under which the image is read, and formsthe image.

According to the ninth aspect, the light sources irradiate light, havingat least one of wavelength and quantity being different from that of theother, at the emulsion surface side and the support surface side of thecolor photosensitive material, respectively.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the emulsion surface side and thesupport surface side of the color photosensitive material isrespectively illuminated by light having different wavelengths, therebythe reflected image at the emulsion surface side, the reflected image atthe support surface side, and the transmitted image can besimultaneously read. Therefore, images can be read in a short time, anda large quantity of light does not need to be irradiated for a long timefor one reading image, and thus, the photosensitive material can beprevented from being damaged by heat. Further, the emulsion surface sideand the support surface side of the color photosensitive material arerespectively illuminated by light whose quantities are different fromeach other. Thus, the quantity of light irradiated at the supportsurface side, where there is a large amount of damping of light, can beincreased, and on the other hand, quantity of light irradiated at theemulsion surface side can be decreased. As a result, a large quantity oflight does not need to be irradiated for one reading image, and thus,the photosensitive material can be prevented from being damaged by heat.

When, according to the fifteenth aspect, the light sources irradiatelight alternately at the emulsion surface side and the support surfaceside, respectively, so as to alternately read the reflected image at theemulsion surface side and the reflected image at the support surfaceside, and so as to simultaneously read the transmitted image and one ofthe reflected images, the images can be read in a shorter time, ascompared with when the transmitted image and one of the reflected imagesare individually read.

According to the tenth aspect, quantity of light irradiated at thesupport surface side and quantity of light irradiated at the emulsionsurface side can be changed in accordance with the type of the colorphotosensitive material. For example, in a case of a film on which ananti-halation layer or the like using silver colloid is provided, if thequantity of light at the support surface side, where light is damped bythe anti-halation layer or the like, is made larger than the quantity oflight at the emulsion surface side, a large quantity of light does notneed to be irradiated for one reading image.

When area sensors are used as the reading sensors according to theeleventh and twelfth aspects, light is not concentrated on one portionas compared with when line sensors are used, and thus, images can beread without heat being concentrated on one portion of the colorphotosensitive material.

When silver images recorded on a color photosensitive material, in whichpositions of the silver images are difficult to detect, are read by thearea sensors, if, according to the twenty-first and twenty-secondaspects, the silver images are read so that adjacent reading rangespartially overlap with each other, and after reading, the images aremade into one composite image, image reading error can be avoided.

When images are made into one composite image, according to thethirteenth aspect, property quantities for the images read by thesensors are extracted, and the images are made into one composite imageon the basis of the extracted property quantities, so that the reflectedimages and the transmitted image are coincident with each other.

According to the seventeenth aspect, images can be read by usinginfrared light as well as light having various wavelengths, i.e., redlight (R light), green light (G light) and blue light (B light).

The reading sensors can consist of a sensor for low resolution, whichreads reflected image information corresponding to light reflected bythe emulsion surface side of the color photosensitive material with lowresolution; a sensor for low resolution, which reads reflected imageinformation corresponding to light reflected by the support surface sideof the color photosensitive material with low resolution; and a sensorfor high resolution, which reads transmitted image informationcorresponding to light transmitted through the color photosensitivematerial with high resolution.

Further, the reading sensors may consist of a dual purpose sensor, whichreads reflected image information corresponding to light reflected byone of the emulsion surface side and the support surface side of thecolor photosensitive material with low resolution, and which readstransmitted image information corresponding to light transmitted throughthe color photosensitive material with high resolution; and a sensor forlow resolution, which reads reflected image information corresponding tolight reflected by the other of the emulsion surface side and thesupport surface side of the color photosensitive material with lowresolution. In this manner, in place of two sensors, the dual purposesensor is used for reading the reflected image information and thetransmitted image information, and the apparatus can be therebysimplified so as to save cost.

As the sensor for low resolution, the sensor for high resolution, andthe dual purpose sensor, for example, area CCDs which can read one frameimage of the color photosensitive material all at once, or linear CCDswhich can read an image for one line, can be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of an image processing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an APS film.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a 135 size film.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a reference exposing portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an LED substrate.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a reference exposed area of the APS film.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view showing another example of thereference exposing portion.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of a developing portion.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a jetting tank.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the jetting tank.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of a film scanner.

FIG. 12A is a bottom view of an illuminating unit.

FIG. 12B is a side view of the illuminating unit.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing wavelength of irradiated light.

FIG. 14A is a plan view of an ND filter for correcting lightness.

FIG. 14B is a plan view of a reflective plate for correcting lightness.

FIG. 15 is a view for describing image reading by using IR light.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a DX code.

FIGS. 17A-17F are timing charts showing image reading timing.

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of a pixel shifting unit.

FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of an image processing portion.

FIG. 20A is a plan view showing reading ranges of the APS film.

FIG. 20B is a plan view showing reading ranges of the 135 size film.

FIG. 21 is a schematic structural view showing another structure of thefilm scanner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading apparatus according to thepresent invention will be described. The image reading apparatusmonochromatically develops a color photographic film, which has threetypes of photosensitive layers, i.e., a blue photosensitive layer (Blayer), a green photosensitive layer (G layer) and a red photosensitivelayer (R layer), on a support, so as to generate silver images includingno color information. After developing, the image reading apparatusdries the color photographic film without bleaching, fixing and rinsing,and before or after drying, the image reading apparatus reads the silverimages recorded on the color photographic film. When the colorphotographic film has been monochromatically developed, the silverimages can be read by using a light source of red light (R light), greenlight (G light) and blue light (B light). However, in the presentembodiments, a case in which the silver images are read by usinginfrared light will be described. When the images are read in a state inwhich development is not stopped or is being proceeded, if R, G and Blight is used, such trouble that silver halide is exposed to the readinglight is caused. On the other hand, if IR light is used, such troublecan be avoided.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 shows an overall structure of an image processing system 10. Asshown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 10 consists of a magneticinformation reading portion 12, a reference exposing portion 14, aperforation detecting sensor 13 which is used when an APS film is beingread, a monochromatic developing portion 16, a buffer portion 18, a filmscanner 20, an image processing device 22, a printer portion 24 and aprocessor portion 26. The perforation detecting sensor 13 is structuredso that a light emitting element and a light receiving element aredisposed opposite to each other.

The image processing system 10 reads film images (silver images)recorded on a color photographic film such as a negative film or areversal film (positive film), performs an image processing, and printsthe processed images on photographic printing papers. The imageprocessing system 10 can process film images on, for example, thefollowing types of photographic films: a 135 size photographic film, a110 size photographic film, a photographic film on which transparentmagnetic layers are formed (240 size photographic film, known as an APSfilm), and 120 size and 220 size (Brownie size) photographic films. Aphotographic film 28 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1,in a state in which an emulsion surface side (B photosensitive layerside) thereof is at the top. The image processing system may form imageson thermosensitive papers by using heat, or may form images on recordingmedia such as plain paper by using xerography, ink jet or the like.

When the photographic film 28 to be processed is an APS film shown inFIG. 2, the magnetic information reading portion 12 is used to readmagnetic information recorded on magnetic layers 30, which are formedbelow frame images of the APS film 28A. In the first embodiment, beforereading images, information regarding reading conditions (reading timingand number of times of reading) is provided as magnetic information ontothe photographic film 28 to be processed. On the basis of theinformation, the reading conditions (reading timing and number of timesof reading) are set at a scanner controlling portion 104. As otherinformation regarding the film type such as film sensitivity informationand a DX code is also provided as magnetic information onto thephotographic film 28, the reading conditions may be set at the scannercontrolling portion 104 on the basis of the information regarding thefilm type.

As shown in FIG. 2, unexposed areas which a user can freely use areprovided at a front end side and a rear end side of the APS film 28A. Inthe first embodiment, the unexposed areas are used as reference exposedareas 32. When the photographic film 28 is a 135 size photographic film,an unexposed portion shown in FIG. 3, which exists at a front end sideor a rear end side of the film, is used as the reference exposed area32.

When the photographic film 28 to be processed is an APS film, theperforation detecting sensor 13 detects perforations. On the basis ofthe detected perforations, a controlling portion 140 controls conveyingrollers 15, so as to specify a range to which developer is applied inthe monochromatic developing portion 16, which will be described later.

The reference exposing portion 14 exposes (reference-exposes) thereference exposed area 32 in order to form image information which isused to determine image processing conditions. The image processingconditions may be determined after reading all of the frame images, bystoring data obtained from read frame images, and by reading the imageinformation in the reference exposed area 32, for example, at the rearend side. However, if the image processing conditions are determinedbefore reading the frame images, the image processing can be performedwhile reading the frame images, and thus, preferably, the referenceexposed area 32 at the front end side of the photographic film 28 isexposed so that the image processing conditions can be determined beforereading the frame images.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reference exposing portion 14 consists of anexposing portion 34 and an LED driver 36. The exposing portion 34 isprovided with a diffusing plate 42 at an LED side of an LED substrate 40on which a plurality of LEDs 38 are arranged, and is further providedwith a wedge 44, which causes light-intensity distribution along a filmconveying direction, at a light diffusing side of the diffusing plate42.

As shown in FIG. 5, the LED substrate 40 is separated into four areas.In a topmost area in FIG. 5, LEDs 46R emitting red light (R light) aredisposed; in a second area from the top, LEDs 46G emitting green light(G light) are disposed; in a third area from the top, LEDs 46B emittingblue light (B light) are disposed; and in a bottommost area, the LEDs46R, the LEDs 46G and the LEDs 46B are alternately disposed. With regardto a balance of quantity of R, G and B light in the bottommost area,i.e., a gray exposing portion, numbers of the LEDs 46R, the LEDs 46G andthe LEDs 46B are preferably determined so that a color temperature ofthis portion is close to that of standard daylight such as D65.

The LED substrate 40 is connected to the LED driver 36, and each LED 38on the LED substrate 40 uniformly emits light by being supplied with apredetermined electric current from the LED driver 36. The LED driver 36can suitably control the electric current supplied to the each LED 38 inaccordance with the film type by, for example, obtaining filmsensitivity information from the magnetic information reading portion12.

Light emitted from the each LED is diffused by the diffusing plate 42,and is irradiated onto the photographic film 28 via the wedge 44. Thewedge 44 is structured so as to change the light exposure onto thephotographic film 28, for example, the wedge 44 is structured so as toincrease the light exposure continuously (gradually) from an upstreamside in the photographic film 28 conveying direction (direction of arrowA) toward a downstream side therein, as shown in FIG. 3. The lightexposure may be increased step by step. The upstream side in thephotographic film 28 conveying direction of the wedge 44 is structuredsuch that the reference exposing portion 14 can expose linearly in adirection which is substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction,namely, a linearly area whose longitudinal direction is a directionwhich is substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction, as shownby line 48 in FIG. 6, can be formed on the photographic film 28.Further, the light exposure may be changed by increasing the electriccurrent supplied to the each LED gradually along the film conveyingdirection.

By the reference exposing portion 14 structured in this manner, thereference exposed area 32 of the photographic film 28 is exposed by theR light, the G light, the B light, and light in which the R light, the Glight and the B light are mixed, i.e., gray light, as shown in FIG. 6.Further, a portion of the reference exposed area 32 is exposed linearlyin the direction which is substantially orthogonal to the photographicfilm 28 conveying direction. The line 48 is detected as a trigger line,and it can be thereby detected that the reference exposed area 32 hasbeen exposed (reference-exposed).

The reference exposing portion 14 may be structured by using, forexample, a light source such as a halogen lamp in place of the LEDs, asshown in FIG. 7. The reference exposing portion 14 shown in FIG. 7 isprovided with a halogen lamp 50, and a shutter 52 is disposed at a lightirradiating side of the halogen lamp 50. A diffusing box 56 to the topand bottom of which diffusing plates 54 are attached, a color separatingfilter 58 which separates light into the R light, the G light and the Blight, and the above-described wedge 44 are sequentially disposed at alight emitting side of the shutter 52.

The color separating filter 58 consists of a filter which transmits onlyR light of incident light, a filter which transmits only G light ofincident light, and a filter which transmits only B light of incidentlight, and the filters are disposed in accordance with the LEDsarrangement in FIG. 5. For a portion in the color separating filter 58which portion corresponds to the portion in which the LEDs 46R, 46G and46B are alternately disposed, a color temperature transforming filter ispreferably disposed so that a color temperature of this portion is closeto that of standard daylight such as D65. As a result, the same exposure(reference-exposure) as in FIG. 6 can be performed. Further, in order toreduce cost, the correction may be performed based on a relationshipbetween a color temperature of the halogen lamp 50 and a colortemperature of D65, without disposing the filter.

The monochromatic developing portion 16 performs monochromaticdevelopment by applying developer for performing the monochromaticdevelopment to the photographic film 28. As described above, theconveying rollers 15 and the perforation detecting sensor 13 aredisposed at an upstream side of the monochromatic developing portion 16.As shown in FIG. 8, the monochromatic developing portion 16 is providedwith a jetting tank 62 for jetting developer onto the photographic film28.

A developer bottle 64 for storing developer to be supplied to thejetting tank 62 is disposed at a lower-left side of the jetting tank 62,and a filter 66 for filtering the developer is disposed at an upperportion of the developer bottle 64. A developer conveying pipe 70, whichis provided with a pump 68 at an intermediate portion thereof, connectsthe developer bottle 64 and the filter 66. Further, a sub-tank 72 forstoring the developer conveyed from the developer bottle 64 is disposedat a right side of the jetting tank 62, and a developer conveying pipe74 extends from the filter 66 to the sub-tank 72. Accordingly, when thepump 68 operates, the developer is conveyed from the developer bottle 64toward the filter 66, and the developer filtered by passing through thefilter 66 is conveyed to the sub-tank 72, where the developer istemporarily stored.

A developer conveying pipe 76 is disposed between the sub-tank 72 andthe jetting tank 62 so as to connect the two. The developer conveyedwith the pump 68 from the developer bottle 64 through the filter 66, thesub-tank 72, the developer conveying pipe 76 and the like eventuallyfills the jetting tank 62. A tray 80, which is connected to thedeveloper bottle 64 by a circulation pipe 78, is disposed at a lowerportion of the jetting tank 62. The tray 80 collects developer whichoverflows from the jetting tank 62, and returns the collected developerto the developer bottle 64 via the circulation pipe 78. Further, thecirculation pipe 78 is connected to the sub-tank 72 in an extended stateby protruding inside the sub-tank 72. The excess developer which hasbeen stored in the sub-tank 72 is returned to the developer bottle 64via the circulation pipe 78.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a nozzle plate 82 formed by bendinga thin, elastically deformable, rectangular plate is mounted at aportion which is one section among wall surfaces of the jetting tank 62and faces a conveying path E of the photographic film 28. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of nozzle holes 84 (each of which may, forexample, have a diameter of several tens of μm) are respectively formedon the nozzle plate 82, along the direction intersecting thephotographic film 28 conveying direction A, which is a longitudinaldirection of the nozzle plate 82, and across the entire transversedirection of the photographic film 28 at regular intervals, so as toform a linearly extending nozzle array. A plurality of nozzle arrays arestaggeringly arranged on the nozzle plate 82.

Namely, the plurality of nozzle arrays, each of which is formed bylinearly arranging the plurality of nozzle holes 84, are respectivelyprovided so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the jetting tank62, and the developer filling the jetting tank 62 can be expelled so asto be jetted from each of the nozzle holes 84 forming the nozzle arraystoward the photographic film 28. The developer is jetted from thejetting tank 62, and the photographic film 28 conveyed at asubstantially constant speed is thereby monochromatically developed.

When the photographic film 28 is an APS film, positions of frame imagescan be specified by positions of perforations. Thus, perforations aredetected by the perforation detecting sensor 13 such that conveyance ofthe photographic film 28 is controlled by the conveying rollers 15, anddeveloper is thereby applied for each frame image, as shown in FIG. 20A.On the other hand, when the photographic film 28 is a 135 sizephotographic film, in order to prevent a portion of the film on whichportion an image is recorded from not being applied of the developer,conveyance of the photographic film 28 is controlled by the conveyingrollers 15, and developer is thereby applied so as to partially overlapwith a former application range, as shown in FIG. 20B.

The buffer portion 18 is used to absorb a difference between aphotographic film 28 conveying speed which becomes a substantiallyconstant speed at the monochromatic developing portion 16, and aphotographic film 28 conveying speed due to a film carrier 86 which willbe described later. When the conveying speed at the monochromaticdeveloping portion 16 is the same as the conveying speed due to the filmcarrier 86, the buffer portion 18 can be omitted.

The film scanner 20 is used to read images recorded on the photographicfilm 28 which has been subjected to the developing process by themonochromatic developing portion 16, and to output image data obtainedby the reading. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the film scanner 20 isprovided with the film carrier 86.

An illuminating unit 90A, which is structured by disposing LEDs 88 in aring shape as shown in FIG. 12A so as to irradiate light onto thephotographic film 28, is disposed above the film carrier 86. The lightemitted from the illuminating unit 90A is light having a wavelength inan infrared region (a central wavelength of about 950 nm) shown in FIG.13, i.e., IR light. The illuminating unit 90A is driven by an LED driver92.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, a focusing lens 94A which focuses lightreflected by the B layer of the photographic film 28, and an area CCD96A which detects the light reflected by the B layer of the photographicfilm 28, are sequentially disposed above the illuminating unit 90A alongan optical axis L. The area CCD 96A is a monochromatic CCD in which alarge number of CCD cells (photoelectric conversion cells) each havingsensitivity for the infrared region are arranged in a matrix form, andis disposed so that a light receiving surface thereof is substantiallycoincident with a focusing position of the focusing lens 94A. The areaCCD 96A is disposed on a pixel shifting unit 98A. Further, a blackshutter 100A is provided between the area CCD 96A and the focusing lens94A.

The area CCD 96A is connected to the scanner controlling portion 104 viaa CCD driver 102A. The scanner controlling portion 104 consists of aCPU, a ROM (for example, a ROM whose stored contents are rewritable), aRAM and an input-output port, which are connected to each other via abus or the like. The scanner controlling portion 104 controls anoperation of each portion of the film scanner 20. The CCD driver 102Agenerates driving signals for driving the area CCD 96A so as to controlthe drive of the area CCD 96A.

An illuminating unit 90B, a focusing lens 94B, an area CCD 96B disposedon a pixel shifting unit 98B, and a CCD driver 102B are sequentiallydisposed below the film carrier 86. These have the same structures thatthe above-described illuminating unit 90A, focusing lens 94A, area CCD96A and CCD driver 102A have, respectively. However, the area CCD 96Bdetects both reflected light which has been reflected by the R layer ofthe photographic film 28 shown in FIG. 15, of IR light irradiated ontothe photographic film 28 by the illuminating unit 90B, and transmittedlight which has been transmitted through the photographic film 28, of IRlight irradiated onto the photographic film 28 by the illuminating unit90A. The light emitted from the illuminating unit 90B is IR light havinga central wavelength of about 950 nm, which is the same as the lightemitted from the illuminating unit 90A.

In a state in which a bleaching process is not being performed, ananti-halation layer using silver colloid absorbs the light for a widewavelength region and damps incoming or outgoing light. When such ananti-halation layer is provided on the photographic film 28, thequantity of light illuminating a support surface side is preferably madedifferent from the quantity of light illuminating an emulsion surfaceside, in accordance with the film type. That is, it is preferable thatby identifying a layer structure of the film and a composition of theanti-halation layer; for example, the quantity of illuminating light ofthe illuminating unit 90B which illuminates the support surface side ofthe photographic film 28 is made larger than the quantity ofilluminating light of the illuminating unit 90A which illuminates theemulsion surface side of the photographic film 28. A light transmittanceof the anti-halation layer using silver colloid is about 20-50%. Whenthe same quantity of light is respectively irradiated to the supportsurface side and the emulsion surface side, the quantity of lightreceived by the area CCD 96B at the support surface side with respect tothe quantity of light received by the area CCD 96A at the emulsionsurface side is 4-25%. Therefore, the quantity of illuminating light ofthe illuminating unit 90B which illuminates the support surface side ispreferably set so as to be, for example, two to four times as large asthe quantity of illuminating light of the illuminating unit 90A whichilluminates the emulsion surface side.

An ND filter portion for correcting lightness 106 is disposed betweenthe illuminating unit 90B and the film carrier 86. As shown in FIG. 14A,the ND filter portion for correcting lightness 106 includes a turret 108which can rotate along the direction of arrow B. A plurality of openings(five openings in the first embodiment) are provided on the turret 108,and ND filters 112A-112D, whose transmittances are different from eachother, are respectively fitted into the openings, excepting one opening110.

The film carrier 86 conveys the photographic film 28 so that a picturecenter of an image (a center of an image frame) recorded on thephotographic film 28 is placed at a position where the picture center iscoincident with the optical axis L (reading position). The film carrier86 is provided with a DX code reading sensor 114, a frame detectingsensor 116, reflective plates for correcting lightness 118A and 118B,and the like.

The DX code reading sensor 114 reads a DX code 120, which has beenoptically recorded on a 135 size photographic film 28 shown in FIG. 16.In the same manner as in the perforation detecting sensor 13, the framedetecting sensor 116 is structured so that a light emitting element anda light receiving element are disposed opposite to each other, anddetects positions of frame images of the photographic film 28 bydetecting perforations. Accordingly, the picture center of the image isplaced at the position where the picture center is coincident with theoptical axis L. The reflective plates for correcting lightness 118A and118B are disposed opposite to each other with the photographic film 28therebetween. As shown in FIG. 14B, each of the reflective plates forcorrecting lightness 118A and 118B includes a turret 122 which canrotate along the direction of arrow C. A plurality of openings (fiveopenings in the first embodiment) are provided on the turret 122, andreflective plates 126A-126D, whose reflectances are different from eachother, are respectively fitted into the openings, excepting one opening124.

The photographic film 28 is conveyed by the film carrier 86, and thepicture center of the image is placed at the position where the picturecenter is coincident with the optical axis L (reading position). In astate in which the image is located at the reading position, the scannercontrolling portion 104 rotatively drives the turrets 122 and 108 sothat the openings 124 of the reflective plates for correcting lightness118A and 118B and the opening 110 of the ND filter portion forcorrecting lightness 106 are positioned on the optical axis L, and setscharge accumulation times t1 and t2 of the area CCDs 96A and 96B at theCCD drivers 102A and 102B, respectively, in accordance withpredetermined reading conditions.

Accordingly, when the illuminating unit 90A is lit by the scannercontrolling portion 104 as shown in FIG. 17(E), IR light is irradiatedat the B layer side of the photographic film 28, the light reflected bythe B layer of the photographic film 28 is detected (specifically,charges which have been photoelectrically converted are accumulated) bythe area CCD 96A as shown in FIG. 17(A), and signals representingquantity of the reflected light are output from the area CCD 96A asshown in FIG. 17(B).

Simultaneously, light transmitted through the photographic film 28 isdetected by the area CCD 96B as shown in FIG. 17(C), and signalsrepresenting quantity of the transmitted light are output from the areaCCD 96B as shown in FIG. 17(D).

When the detection of transmitted light and the light reflected by the Blayer has been completed, the illuminating unit 90B is lit by thescanner controlling portion 104 as shown in FIG. 17(F), IR light isirradiated at the support side of the photographic film 28, lightreflected by the R layer of the photographic film 28 is detected by thearea CCD 96B as shown in FIG. 17(C), and signals representing quantityof the reflected light are output from the area CCD 96B as shown in FIG.17(D).

The quantity of light and lighting times t4 and t5 of the lightirradiated by the illuminating units 90A and 90B, and the chargeaccumulation times t1, t2 and t3 by the area CCDs 96A and 96B are set bysetup computations carried out by the controlling portion 140, whichwill be described later.

In a case of an APS film, developer is sequentially applied for eachframe at the developing portion 16, and thereafter, each frame isstopped at the reading position of the film carrier 86 so as to read theimage. On the other hand, in a case of a 135 size film, developer isapplied so that a portion of the film is coated by the developer twice,and portions of adjacent reading ranges which are read are overlapped,and thus, when reading of one reading range has been completed, thephotographic film 28 is conveyed by the film carrier 86 in the oppositedirection, in order to apply developer for the next application range.Further, in this case of a 135 size film, the buffer portion 18 ispreferably omitted in order to reduce a distance between the developingportion 16 and the reading portion.

The quantity of light reflected by the B layer varies in accordance withthe quantity of developed silver contained in the B layer (bluephotosensitive layer), i.e., the quantity of silver image in the Blayer. Therefore, photoelectrically converting the light reflected bythe B layer in the monochromatic development corresponds to readingimage information of a yellow-dye image which is obtained when colordevelopment is performed. Similarly, photoelectrically converting thelight reflected by the R layer (red photosensitive layer) in themonochromatic development corresponds to reading image information of acyan-dye image which is obtained when color development is performed.Further, photoelectrically converting the transmitted light in this casecorresponds to reading image information of an image, in which theyellow-dye image, a magenta-dye image in the green photosensitive layer,and the cyan-dye image are mixed, and which is obtained when colordevelopment is performed.

When the photographic film 28 is an APS film, as shown in FIG. 20A,developer is applied for a range which is slightly wider than a frameimage, and thus, the image is read within a range which is slightlynarrower than the developer applied range. When the photographic film 28is a 135 size photographic film, as shown in FIG. 20B, a position of animage cannot be specified, and thus, the image is read within a rangewhich is wider than the developer applied range. In this case, anoverlapped range is read. However, each image can be obtained bycarrying out an image processing.

The image reading by the area CCDs 96A and 96B may be performed a numberof times in accordance with a state of a silver image. For example, in astate in which an image is located at the reading position, theilluminating units 90A and 90B are alternately lit at predeterminedintervals, and the one image is read a number of times (three times inthis embodiment) with predetermined reading timing, e.g., 10 secondsafter, 20 seconds after and 40 seconds after the start of the developingprocess.

A silver density in a silver image increases in accordance with lightexposure. When the silver density is extremely low, sometimes the imagecannot be read, and on the other hand, when the silver density isextremely high, the image is difficult to read. Accordingly, apredetermined weighting factor is applied to a plurality of image dataand a composite image is formed. For example, the one silver image isread a number of times as described above, and then, image data readafter development has been proceeded much is used for low silver densityportions, and data read at the beginning of development is used for highsilver density portions. As a result, a satisfactory image with a highSN-ratio and in a wider dynamic range can be obtained, as compared withwhen an image is formed by using data obtained in one reading. The readimage data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disksuch that the recording medium is returned to a user. In this case, itis also possible that, when the image recorded on the recording mediumis printed, the image data is read by a driver 24A so as to be displayedon a monitor 24C, and the weighting factor is applied by operating akeyboard 24B so as to form one composite image data.

On the basis of information read at the magnetic information readingportion 12, the reading timing and the number of times of reading by thearea CCDs 96A and 96B are set for the CCD drivers 102A and 102B by setupcomputations carried out by the controlling portion 140 or the like,which will be described later.

In the first embodiment, the image reading is performed at one position.However, it is also possible that, a plurality of pairs of upper andlower area CCDs are serially disposed at predetermined intervals alongthe conveying path of the photographic film 28, and the conveying speedis changed so that the image reading is performed a number of times witha predetermined reading timing. Further, in the first embodiment, thearea CCDs which are area sensors are used as sensors. However, linesensors may be used in place of the area CCDs. When line sensors areused, it is possible that, a plurality of line sensors are seriallydisposed at predetermined intervals along the conveying path of thephotographic film 28, and the conveying speed is changed so that theimage reading is performed a number of times with a predeterminedreading timing.

The area CCD 96A is disposed on the pixel shifting unit 98A as shown inFIG. 18, and piezo elements driven by a piezo driver 99 are connected tothe pixel shifting unit 98A. The piezo elements are oscillated by thepiezo driver 99 in each of X and Y directions in FIG. 18, such that thepixel shifting unit 98A, i.e., the area CCD 96A can be shifted in the Xand Y directions. Accordingly, for example, by that an image is readwhen the area CCD 96A is positioned at an original position and the areaCCD 96A is sequentially moved by half pixels in the X and Y directions,the image can be read with four-fold resolution. The area CCD 96B alsohas the same structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, signals output from the area CCDs 96A and 96B arerespectively amplified by amplifier circuits 128A and 128B, theamplified signals are respectively converted into digital datarepresenting quantity of the reflected light by A/D converters 130A and130B, and the digital data are respectively input to correlation dualsampling circuits (CDSs) 132A and 132B. The CDSs 132A and 132B samplefeed-through data representing levels of feed-through signals and pixeldata representing levels of signals for each pixel, subtract thefeed-through data from the pixel data for each pixel, and sequentiallyoutput the results (data accurately corresponding to quantity ofaccumulated charge for each CCD cell) to the image processing device 22as image data.

The image data output from the CDSs 132A and 132B are respectively inputto lightness-darkness correcting portions 134A and 134B. At thelightness-darkness correcting portions 134A and 134B, lightness-darknesscorrection is performed based on predetermined darkness correcting dataand lightness correcting data.

The lightness-darkness correcting portion 134A performs darknesscorrection by storing data, which has been input to thelightness-darkness correcting portion 134A in a state in which the sideof the area CCD 96A to which light is radiated is shielded by the blackshutter 100A (data representing a darkness output level for each cell ofthe area CCD 96A), for each cell in an unillustrated memory as darknesscorrecting data, and by subtracting the darkness output level for thecell from input image data, for each pixel. The darkness correcting datais set, for example, at the time of start-up inspection of theapparatus, every predetermined time and at every scanning; and isdesirably set with a frequency in which variation of the darkness outputlevels can be corrected. The lightness-darkness correcting portion 134Bcan also perform the darkness correction in the same manner as in theabove description.

When lightness correction is performed for image data of an imagerecorded on the photographic film 28 which has been subjected to normalcolor development by the lightness-darkness correcting portion 134A,initially, reflected light is read by the area CCD 96A by using ahigh-reflectance object such as a white plate. A gain is then determinedfor each cell on the basis of input data (variation of the density foreach pixel, which is represented by the input data, results fromvariation of the photoelectric conversion property for each cell andfrom non-uniformity of the light source), and the gain is stored in theunillustrated memory as lightness correcting data. Then, the input imagedata of a frame image to be read is corrected for each pixel inaccordance with the gain determined for each cell. Thelightness-darkness correcting portion 134B can also perform thelightness correction in the same manner as in the above description.When transmitted light from the illuminating unit 90A is read and thelightness correction is performed, the lightness correction is performedin a state in which all the light from the illuminating unit 90A istransmitted.

However, when the lightness correction is performed for image data of animage recorded on the photographic film 28 which has been subjected tomonochromatic development, if the white plate is used, or the lightnesscorrection is performed in the state in which all the light istransmitted, it is too light when compared with a density of the imagerecorded on the photographic film 28, and thus, the lightness correctioncannot be suitably performed. Therefore, it is preferable that a densityof an unexposed portion of the photographic film 28 is set as areference density for the lightness correction, and the lightnesscorrection is performed so that a reflective plate or a filter having adensity which is close to the reference density is positioned on theoptical axis L. Accordingly, the lightness correction can be suitablyperformed for the photographic film 28 which has been subjected tomonochromatic development. The reference density for the lightnesscorrection is selected by setup computations carried out by thecontrolling portion 140, which will be described later.

Further, the lightness correction may be performed so that the unexposedportion of the photographic film 28 is positioned on the optical axis L.Accordingly, the ND filter portion for correcting lightness 106 and thereflective plates for correcting lightness 118A and 118B are notrequired, and thus, cost can be saved. In this case, the chargeaccumulation time and the quantity of light are set so that a saturationpoint (lightest point in a state in which linearity is kept) of the areaCCDs 96A and 96B substantially corresponds to when the unexposed portionis read, and an average obtained when the unexposed portion is read anumber of times in this state is stored in the unillustrated memory aslightness correcting data.

When the reading is performed with a high SN-ratio, the chargeaccumulation time and the quantity of light may be set by pre-scanningeach frame and using the lightest point of the frame. Alternatively,when the charge accumulation time and the quantity of light are setbased on the reading data of the unexposed portion, if it is determinedby a first scanning that the photographic film is an over-exposednegative, the scanning may be performed again with lighter conditions(longer accumulation time and increased quantity of light).

The image data, which has been subjected to the lightness-darknesscorrecting process at the lightness-darkness correcting portions 134Aand 134B, are respectively output to the image processing device 22.

Reflected images and a transmitted image which have been read can bemade into one composite image by extracting perforations, a DX code oran FNS code provided on the photographic film 28 as a property quantity,and by aligning image data read at the area CCD 96A with image data readat the area CCD 96B on the basis of the extracted perforations, the DXcodes or the FNS codes so that the property quantities are coincidentwith each other. The alignment may be performed on the basis of aproperty quantity of the image such as a frame or an edge in the image.

Further, it is also possible that, a reference chart and a referencemark provided at the film carrier 86 are simultaneously read by the areaCCDs 96A and 96B; the quantity at which a center of the image isdisplaced from a center of the optical axis when the image is read byeach area CCD is calculated so as to obtain a correction quantity inadvance; and the alignment is performed in accordance with the obtainedcorrection quantity. As the correction quantity is a valuecharacteristic to each area CCD, the correction quantity is obtained atthe time of setup.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 22 includes a framememory 136, an image processing portion 138 and the controlling portion140. The frame memory 136 has a capacity which can store image data foreach frame image, and image data input from the film scanner 20 isstored in the frame memory 136 at every image reading. The image datainput to the frame memory 136 is subjected to an image processing by theimage processing portion 138.

The image processing portion 138 performs various image processings inaccordance with processing conditions which have been determined foreach image and notified by the controlling portion 140.

The controlling portion 140 consists of a CPU 142, a ROM 144 (forexample, a ROM whose stored contents are rewritable), a RAM 146, aninput-output port (I/O) 148, a hard-disk 150, a keyboard 152, a mouse154 and a monitor 156, which are connected to each other via a bus. TheCPU 142 of the controlling portion 140 computes (does setup computationson parameters for the various image processings performed at the imageprocessing portion 138, based on the reading data of the referenceexposing portion 14, which has been input from the frame memory 136; andoutputs the parameters to the image processing portion 138. Thecomputation is performed in the following manner.

Transfer characteristic f1 for transferring from a reflection density ofR to a transmittance density of R is obtained from reading data ofreflected light in an R single-color exposed area of a mixed-colorreference exposed portion 32 and from reading data of transmitted lighttherein shown in FIG. 6. As described above, the light exposure in eachexposed area increases gradually from the upstream side in thephotographic film 28 conveying direction toward the downstream sidetherein, and thus, data in the each exposed area is obtainedsequentially from a low density side to a high density side.Accordingly, the transfer characteristic f1 can obtain a transfer curvefor transferring from the reflection density of R to the transmittancedensity of R, by, for example, computing a value, in which the readingdata of transmitted light is divided by the reading data of reflectedlight, for each density area. When the reflection density of R isD_(HR), and the transmittance density of R is D_(TR), D_(TR)=f1(D_(HR)).Similarly, the CPU 142 obtains transfer characteristic f2 fortransferring from a reflection density of B to a transmittance densityof B from reading data of reflected light in a B single-color exposedarea of the reference exposed portion 32 and from reading data oftransmitted light therein. When the reflection density of B is D_(HB),and the transmittance density of B is D_(TB), D_(TB)=f2(D_(HB)).

As shown in FIG. 19, the controlling portion 140 outputs the obtaineddata of the transfer characteristics f1 and f2 to an LUT (lookup table)158 of the image processing portion 138. The LUT 158 performs alog-conversion for each input reading data of an R image and a B imageso as to convert them into reflection density data, and converts theconverted reflection density data into transmittance density data on thebasis of the transfer characteristics f1 and f2. The reason why thetransfer characteristics are obtained so as to convert the reflectiondensity into the transmittance density is that, for example, lightpasses through a layer twice in an intermediate density area such thatthe reflection density is about twice as high as the transmittancedensity, and the density is saturated in a high density area, therefore,a gray balance or the like cannot be suitably corrected when thereflection reading and the transmittance reading are mixed, because thereflection density and the transmittance density have a non-linearrelationship.

On the other hand, transmittance reading data of the G layer, D_(TG) isincluded in total transmittance density data of the R, G and B layers,and thus, when total transmittance reading data of the R, G and B layersis D_(TRGB), D_(TG)=D_(TRGB)−D_(TR)−D_(TB). This computation isperformed by an MTX (matrix) circuit 160.

Assuming that there is no color mixture, a value of reflection densityof the R layer in a G single-color exposed area, which has been readfrom the base side, and a value of reflection density of the B layertherein, which has been read from the emulsion surface side, are zero.This is because it can be considered that, there is no developed silverat the R layer and the B layer in the G single-color exposed area, andthus, at the R layer and the B layer, reflection does not occur at all.However, the reflection reading data of the R layer and the B layer isaffected by the lower layer (G layer in the first embodiment) such thatcolor mixture is caused, and this results in a turbid colorreproduction. Similarly, assuming that there is no color mixture, valuesof reflection density of the B layer in the R single-color exposed areaand transmittance density of the G layer therein, and values oftransmittance density of the R layer and that of the G layer in the Bsingle-color exposed area, are zero. However, in practice, each layer isaffected by another layer as described above, such that color mixture iscaused.

Accordingly, transmittance density of each layer in each single-colorexposed area is obtained, and the effect of the color mixture is therebyeliminated as described below. First, a color mixture factor aijrepresenting a color mixture degree of color j in color i is computed.i, j=1, 2, 3, wherein 1 is R, 2 is G, and 3 is B, respectively.

When transmittance density data of R, G and B without color mixture isR, G and B, transmittance density data of R, G and B with color mixtureis R′, G′ and B′, which are shown by the following formula (1).$\begin{matrix}{R^{\prime} = {R + {{a12} \cdot G} + {{a13} \cdot B}}} & (1) \\{G^{\prime} = {{{a21} \cdot R} + G + {{a23} \cdot B}}} & \quad \\{B^{\prime} = {{{a31} \cdot R} + {{a32} \cdot G} + B}} & \quad \\{\begin{pmatrix}R^{\prime} \\G^{\prime} \\B^{\prime}\end{pmatrix} = {\begin{pmatrix}1 & {a12} & {a13} \\{a21} & 1 & {a23} \\{a31} & {a32} & 1\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}R \\G \\B\end{pmatrix}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

In the above formulas (1) and (2), the color mixture factors a12 and a32can be obtained from the transmittance density of the R layer in the Gsingle-color exposed area, D_(TR), and the transmittance density of theB layer therein, D_(TB). Similarly, the color mixture factors a13 anda23 can be obtained from the transmittance density of the R layer in theB single-color exposed area, D_(TR), and the transmittance density ofthe G layer therein, D_(TG); and the color mixture factors a21 and a31can be obtained from the transmittance density of the G layer in the Rsingle-color exposed area, D_(TG), and the transmittance density of theB layer therein, D_(TB).

The CPU 142 calculates an inverse matrix shown in the above formula (2)consisting of the above-described color mixture factors so as to obtaincolor correction factors, and outputs the color correction factors tothe MTX circuit 160.

The color correction factors may be obtained by exposing an arbitrarycolor chart onto a film in advance without performing RGB single-colorexposure, and by optimizing the reading data and a color reproductiontarget value in a method of least squares or the like. In other words,the same object is continuously taken with the same camera by using acommercially available color negative film, so as to prepare anundeveloped film on which a plurality of (e.g., two frames of) latentimages with the same pattern have been formed; and one frame isdeveloped with monochromatic developer, and after developing, the frameis dried without bleaching, fixing or rinsing, so as to obtain amonochromatically developed film. The other frame is developed withcolor developer, and after developing, the frame is subjected tobleaching, fixing, rinsing and drying, so as to obtain a color developedfilm. The color correction factors are obtained with an image on thecolor developed film as the target.

The images recorded on the monochromatically developed film are readfrom three directions by a separately provided film scanner. In otherwords, light (IR light in the first embodiment) is irradiated at theemulsion layer side and the support side of the monochromaticallydeveloped film; reflected images on a photosensitive layer of the upperlayer (B layer) and on a photosensitive layer of the lower layer (Rlayer), which correspond to the light reflected by each side, arerespectively read; and a transmitted image, in which images on aphotosensitive layer of the B layer, on a photosensitive layer of the Rlayer, and on a photosensitive layer of the intermediate layer (G layer)are composed, and which corresponds to the light transmitted through themonochromatically developed film, is read. Image data Br and Rr of thereflected images on the B layer and the R layer, and image data RGBt ofthe transmitted image on the RGB layer are taken, and pixel coordinatesare corrected so that the three images are superimposed. In particular,as the reflected image on the R layer is reversed at the time ofreading, the image is laterally reversed so that it can be superimposed.The images are superimposed by respectively determining reference pointsin the images, and then by rotationally transforming and moving eachimage in parallel so that coordinates of the reference points arecoincident with each other. The data Br, Rr and RGBt, which have beentaken from the film scanner and subjected to coordinate transformationso as to be superimposed, are respectively subjected to lineartransformation by a converter for converting a gray scale into linear,and the transformed data are input to a regression arithmetic unit asdata Br′, Rr′ and RGBt′.

On the other hand, the image recorded on each photosensitive layer ofthe color developed film is separated into three colors so as to be readas a transmitted image by a film scanner having the same sensitivity.The read data R, G and B are respectively subjected to lineartransformation by a converter, and the transformed data are input to aregression arithmetic unit as data R′, G′ and B′, which are targetvalues.

In order to make the linearly transformed data of the three layers, Rr′,RGBt′ and Br′, coincident with the target values R′, G′ and B′, theregression arithmetic unit performs regression analysis and computesparameters. As the data Rr′, RGBt′ and Br′ read from themonochromatically developed film have not been separated into colorcomponents (RGB components), the process for separating into colorcomponents is performed based on the color of the image recorded on thecolor developed film.

In other words, the regression arithmetic unit prepares ten parametersak-jk (k=1, 2, 3, wherein 1 is R, 2 is G, and 3 is B) for each of thethree colors R, G and B as shown in the following formula (3), andobtains 3×10 matrix of parameters for converting the Rr′, RGBt′ and Br′into the target values R′, G′ and B′ by statistical computation. As aresult, 3×10 determinant is obtained as color correction factors.$\begin{matrix}{\begin{pmatrix}R^{\prime} \\G^{\prime} \\B^{\prime}\end{pmatrix} = {\begin{pmatrix}{a1} & {b1} & {c1} & {d1} & {e1} & {f1} & {g1} & {h1} & {i1} & {j1} \\{a2} & {b2} & {c2} & {d2} & {e2} & {f2} & {g2} & {h2} & {i2} & {j2} \\{a3} & {b3} & {c3} & {d3} & {e3} & {f3} & {g3} & {h3} & {i3} & {j3}\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}{Rr}^{\prime} \\{RGBt}^{\prime} \\{Br}^{\prime} \\{Rr}^{\prime 2} \\{RGBl}^{\prime 2} \\{Br}^{\prime 2} \\{{Rr}^{\prime} \cdot {RGBl}^{\prime}} \\{{RGBt}^{\prime} \cdot {Br}^{\prime}} \\{{Br}^{\prime} \cdot {Rr}^{\prime}} \\1\end{pmatrix}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

The above formula (3) is represented as follows:R^(′) = a1Rr^(′) + b1RGBt^(′) + c1Br^(′) + d1Rr^(′2) + e1RGBt^(′2) + f1Br^(′2)+  g1Rr^(′) ⋅ RGBt^(′) + h1RGBt^(′) ⋅ Br^(′) + i1Br^(′) ⋅ Rr^(′) + j1G^(′) = a2Rr^(′) + b2RGBt^(′) + c2Br^(′) + d2Rr^(′2) + e2RGBt^(′2) + f2Br^(′2)+  g2Rr^(′) ⋅ RGBt^(′) + h2RGBt^(′) ⋅ Br^(′) + i2Br^(′) ⋅ Rr^(′) + j2B^(′) = a3Rr^(′) + b3RGBt^(′) + c3Br^(′) + d3Rr^(′2) + e3RGBt^(′2) + f3Br^(′2)+  g3Rr^(′) ⋅ RGBt^(′) + h3RGBt^(′) ⋅ Br^(′) + i3Br^(′) ⋅ Rr^(′) + j3

The parameter matrix is 3×10 matrix in the above example. However, thematrix may be 3×3 matrix or 3×9 matrix.

The MTX circuit 160 computes each data of R, G and B without colormixture by using the color correction factors obtained in any one of theabove-described methods, and outputs the data to a LUT 162. The LUT 162performs gray balance correction and contrast correction. The CPU 142determines parameters for performing the gray balance correction and thecontrast correction.

In other words, transfer characteristic f3 is obtained from reading dataof a gray exposed area in the reference exposed area 32 and from apredetermined target gray density. However, as general photography isperformed by using a light source with various color temperatures, thegray balance cannot be sufficiently corrected by the reading data of thegray exposed area in the reference exposed area 32. Therefore, a lightsource correction factor of the photographic light source is estimatedfor each frame, and the estimated factors are output to the LUT 162.That is to say, the LUT 162 performs the gray balance correction withthe transfer characteristic f3 as a reference for gradation transfercharacteristics, and further performs gradation balance correction basedon the light source correction factor. Furthermore, as contrast in themonochromatic development is different from contrast in the basic colordevelopment, contrast correction is performed for correcting thedifference.

The image data, which has been subjected to the gray balance correctionand the contrast correction, is scaled to a predetermined scale by ascaling portion 164, subjected to a dodging process by an automaticdodging portion 166, and subjected to a sharpness highlighting processby a sharpness highlighting portion 168. The sharpness highlightingprocess may be performed based on only high-frequency components byeliminating low-frequency components.

The image data, which has been subjected to the image processings inthis manner, is converted into image data for displaying on the monitor156 by a 3D (three-dimensional) LUT color transforming portion 170,converted into image data for printing on a photographic printing paperat the printer portion 24 by a 3D LUT color transforming portion 172,and output to the printer. It is also possible that the image data isrecorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-R, a DVD-R oran MO, and thereafter, read by the printer so as to be processed at thetime the image data is required.

The printer portion 24 consists of, for example, an image memory, alaser light source of R, G and B, a laser driver for controlling theoperation of the laser light source, and the like (all of which are notillustrated). The image data for recording, which has been input fromthe image processing device 22, is temporarily stored in the imagememory, thereafter read out, and used to modulate laser light of R, Gand B emitted from the laser light source. The laser light emitted fromthe laser light source is scanned on the photographic printing paper viaa polygon mirror and an fθ lens, and the photographic printing paper isexposed and an image is recorded on the photographic printing paper. Thephotographic printing paper, on which the image has been recorded, issent to the processor portion 26, and subjected to each of theprocessings, i.e., color developing, bleach-fixing, rinsing and drying.As a result, the image recorded on the photographic printing paper ismade visible.

Next, an operation of the first embodiment will be described by givingan example of a case in which an APS film is processed.

Initially, prior to a process of the photographic film 28, theabove-described lightness-darkness correction is performed, andlightness correcting data and darkness correcting data are set at theunillustrated memory in the lightness-darkness correcting portions 134Aand 134B. When the photographic film which has been used forphotographing (APS film) 28 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 1, magnetic information, i.e., information regarding readingconditions, and information regarding the film type such as filmsensitivity, which has been recorded on the magnetic layers 30, is readat the magnetic information reading portion 12.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference exposed area 32, which is anunexposed area provided at the front end side of the photographic film28, is exposed by each color of R, G, B and gray, ranging from thelow-density area to the high-density area, at the reference exposingportion 14. The photographic film 28, which has been exposed at thereference exposing portion 14, is monochromatically developed by themonochromatic developing portion 16. As a result, silver halide in eachlayer of R, G and B of the photographic film 28, which has been exposedto light due to photographing, is developed, and a silver image for eachcolor is formed.

The photographic film 28, which has been monochromatically developed, isconveyed to the film scanner 20 via the buffer portion 18. When thereference exposed area 32 is detected by the frame detecting sensor 116,the photographic film 28 is positioned so that a central portion of thereference exposed area 32 is located on the optical axis L. Then, thescanner controlling portion 104 rotates the turrets 108 and 122 so thatthe opening 110 of the ND filter portion for correcting lightness 106and the openings 124 of the reflective plates for correcting lightness118A and 118B are respectively positioned on the optical axis L.

After that, the scanner controlling portion 104 sets the chargeaccumulation times t1, t2 and t3 for each of the CCD drivers 102A and102B, and lights the illuminating units 90A and 90B for the lightingtimes t4 and t5 so as to irradiate IR light onto the photographic film28. As a result, the reference exposed area 32 is read by the area CCDs96A and 96B. In other words, light reflected by the B layer is detectedby the area CCD 96A, and light reflected by the R layer and lighttransmitted through each layer are detected by the area CCD 96B.Detected signals are respectively amplified by the amplifier circuits128A and 128B, the amplified signals are respectively converted intodigital data by the A/D converters 130A and 130B, the digital data isoutput to the lightness-darkness correcting portions 134A and 134B viathe CDSs 132A and 132B, and the data is subjected to alightness-darkness correcting process by the lightness-darknesscorrecting portions 134A and 134B. The image data, which has beensubjected to the lightness-darkness correcting process, is output to theframe memory 136 of the image processing device 22, and then, output tothe controlling portion 140. At the CPU 142 of the controlling portion140, the transfer characteristic f1 for transferring from a reflectiondensity of R to a transmittance density of R is obtained from readingdata of reflected light in the R single-color exposed area of thereference exposed portion 32 and from reading data of transmitted lighttherein. The transfer characteristic f2 for transferring from areflection density of B to a transmittance density of B is obtained fromreading data of reflected light in the B single-color exposed area ofthe reference exposed portion 32 and from reading data of transmittedlight therein. Then, the transfer characteristics f1 and f2 are set atthe LUT 158.

Next, the CPU 142 computes color mixture factors from the transmittancedensity data of each single-color exposed area, which data has beenobtained from the transfer characteristics f1 and f2, calculates aninverse matrix of the matrix consisting of the color mixture factors soas to obtain color correction factors, and outputs the color correctionfactors to the MTX circuit 160. Then, the CPU 142 obtains the transfercharacteristic f3 from reading data of the gray exposed area in thereference exposed area 32 and from the predetermined target graydensity, and sets the transfer characteristic f3 at the LUT 162. In thisway, parameters for performing the color correction, the gray balancecorrection, the contrast correction and the like are calculated based onthe reference exposing data, and the calculated parameters are set atthe image processing portion 138.

When the reference exposed area 32 has been completely read, the frameimage 1 is positioned so as to be located on the optical axis L. Thescanner controlling portion 104 sets the charge accumulation times t1,t2 and t3, reading timing and number of times of reading for each of theCCD drivers 102A and 102B, and lights the illuminating units 90A and 90Bfor the lighting times t4 and t5 so as to irradiate IR light onto thephotographic film 28. As a result, the frame image 1 is read with thepredetermined timing and the predetermined number of times, and theimage data is output to the image processing device 22. Then, the imagedata is subjected to the image processing by the image processingportion 138 under the conditions set at the controlling portion 140. Inother words, the LUT 158 performs the log-conversion for each input dataof an R image and a B image, and converts the converted data intotransmittance density data on the basis of the transfer characteristicsf1 and f2.

Sequentially, the MTX circuit 160 performs the color correction for eachinput image data by using the color correction factors, and computeseach data of R, G and B without color mixture. Then, the LUT 162performs the gray balance correction and the contrast correction withthe transfer characteristic f3 as a reference for gradation transfercharacteristics. As required, the gray balance correction is performedfurther including the gradation balance correction based on the lightsource correction factors. The image data, which has been subjected tothe gray balance correction and the contrast correction, is scaled witha predetermined magnification by the scaling portion 164, subjected tothe dodging process by the automatic dodging portion 166, and subjectedto the sharpness highlighting process by the sharpness highlightingportion 168.

The image data, which has been subjected to the image processings inthis manner, is converted into image data for displaying on the monitor156 by the 3D LUT color transforming portion 170, and converted intoimage data for printing on a photographic printing paper at the printerportion 24 by the 3D LUT color transforming portion 172. In accordancewith the image data which has been subjected to the image processing, aphotographic printing paper is exposed and an image is recorded on thephotographic printing paper by the printer portion 24. The photographicprinting paper, which is exposed and on which the image has beenrecorded, is sent to the processor portion 26, and subjected to each ofthe processings, i.e., color developing, bleach-fixing, rinsing anddrying. As a result, the image recorded on the photographic printingpaper is made visible. In this manner, images recorded on frame imagesare sequentially read, subjected to the image processing, and printed onthe photographic printing papers.

In the first embodiment, the reading timing and the number of times ofreading by the area CCDs 96A and 96B are set by setup computationscarried out by the controlling portion 140 or the like, based on theinformation read at the magnetic information reading portion 12.Therefore, after clearly identifying the film as a monochromaticallydeveloped color photographic film, the reading conditions can besuitably changed, and images in wide dynamic ranges can be obtained.

Further, in the first embodiment, one silver image is read a number oftimes, and a predetermined weighting factor is applied to each of theimage data obtained by a number of readings and one composite image datais formed, and thus, a satisfactory image in a wider dynamic range canbe obtained. In other words, a user can adjust reproduction of ahighlight portion and a shadow portion of an image while viewing theimage, and can easily handle reorder and remake.

In the above first embodiment, an example in which both the readingtiming and the number of times of reading are changed was described.However, only one of the reading timing and the number of times ofreading may be changed. Only the number of times of reading in apredetermined time may be changed, for example, reading is performedtwice or more times in three minutes, or only the reading timing may bechanged, for example, reading is performed every ten seconds from thestart of the development.

Still further, in the first embodiment, the quantity of light irradiatedat each of the emulsion surface side and the support surface side of thecolor photosensitive material can be changed. When an anti-halationlayer consisting of colloid silver is provided on the photographic film28, the quantity of illuminating light from the illuminating unit 90Awhich illuminates the emulsion surface side of the photographic film 28is made smaller than the quantity of illuminating light from theilluminating unit 90B which illuminates the support surface side of thephotographic film 28. Accordingly, a large quantity of light does notneed to be irradiated for one reading image, and thus, silver images canbe read without damaging the photosensitive material by heat.

Furthermore, since area sensors are used as the reading sensors, lightis not concentrated on one portion as compared with when line sensorsare used, and silver images can be read without heat being concentratedon one portion.

(Second Embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the illuminating units 90A and 90B emit lighthaving the same wavelength (IR light having a central wavelength ofabout 950 nm). However, the illuminating units 90A and 90B may emitlight having different wavelengths,(e.g., 850 nm and 1,310 nm). In thiscase, reflected light and transmitted light can be simultaneouslydetected. Namely, as shown in FIG. 21, a half mirror 91A is disposedbetween the focusing lens 94A and an area corresponding to an area inwhich the area CCD 96A is disposed in FIG. 11, and in place of the areaCCD 96A which has sensitivity for IR light having a central wavelengthof about 950 nm, area CCDs 96A1 and 96A2, which have sensitivity forlight of different wavelengths, are respectively disposed in directionsin which light is branched by the half mirror 91A. Similarly, a halfmirror 91B is disposed between the focusing lens 94B and an areacorresponding to an area in which the area CCD 96B is disposed in FIG.11, and in place of the area CCD 96B which has sensitivity for IR lighthaving a central wavelength of about 950 nm, area CCDs 96B1 and 96B2,which have sensitivity for light of different wavelengths, arerespectively disposed in directions in which light is branched by thehalf mirror 91B. The area CCDs 96A1, 96A2, 96B1 and 96B2 are connectedto the scanner controlling portion 104 via CCD drivers 102A1, 102A2,102B1 and 102B2, respectively. As the other structures are the same asin the first embodiment, descriptions will be omitted.

When light emitted from the illuminating unit 90A is light λ_(A), andlight emitted from the illuminating unit 90B is light λ_(B), if theilluminating unit 90A is lit by the scanner controlling portion 104,light λ_(A) is irradiated at the B layer side of the photographic film28, light λ_(A) reflected by the B layer side of the photographic film28 is detected by the area CCD 96A1 which has sensitivity for the lightλ_(A), and signals representing quantity of the reflected light areoutput from the area CCD 96A1. Simultaneously, light λ_(A) transmittedthrough the photographic film 28 is detected by the area CCD 96B1 whichhas sensitivity for the light λ_(A), and signals representing quantityof the transmitted light are output from the area CCD 96B1.

On the other hand, if the illuminating unit 90B is lit by the scannercontrolling portion 104, light λ_(B) is irradiated at the support sideof the photographic film 28, light λ_(B) reflected by the R layer sideof the photographic film 28 is detected by the area CCD 96B2 which hassensitivity for the light λ_(B), and signals representing quantity ofthe reflected light are output from the area CCD 96B2. Simultaneously,light λ_(B) transmitted through the photographic film 28 is detected bythe area CCD 96A2 which has sensitivity for the light λ_(B), and signalsrepresenting quantity of the transmitted light are output from the areaCCD 96A2.

As wavelengths of reflected light and transmitted light detected at oneside of the photographic film 28 are different from each other, thereflected light and the transmitted light can be simultaneously detectedby simultaneously lighting the illuminating units 90A and 90B. In otherwords, reflected images and a transmitted image at the emulsion surfaceside and the support surface side of the photographic film 28 can besimultaneously read. As these images are simultaneously read, readingerrors resulting from different timing of image reading for each areaCCD can be prevented. Further, images may be read by alternatelylighting the illuminating units 90A and 90B at predetermined intervals.

If filters transmitting only light having predetermined wavelengths areattached to the area CCDs, the area CCDs have sensitivity for lighthaving the predetermined wavelengths. However, in FIG. 21, when dichroicmirrors are used in place of the half mirrors, the filters are notrequired.

In the second embodiment, the transmitted image is read by two sensorsof the area CCDs 96A2 and 96B1. However, the transmitted image may beread from only one side by disposing only one of the area CCDs.

In the second embodiment, as light having different wavelengths isirradiated at the emulsion surface side and the support surface side ofthe color photosensitive material, reflected light and transmitted lightcan be simultaneously detected by simultaneously lighting theilluminating units 90A and 90B. As a result, images are read in a shorttime, and a large quantity of light does not need to be irradiated for along time for one reading image, and thus, images can be read withoutdamaging the photosensitive material by heat.

Further, in the above embodiments, an example in which silver images areformed by monochromatic development was described. However, providedthat the silver images are substantially silver images, they may includedye image information, and 60% or more of image density in each layer ispreferably derived from the silver images. Therefore, silver imagesincluding dye information, which are obtained by color-developing acolor film, may be used.

Silver images including dye information, which are obtained when a colorfilm is color-developed, only can be read, without reading dye images,by using infrared light. However, the dye images may be read byproviding: a light source for an upper layer, which irradiates light,which has a color included in silver images in a photosensitive layer ofthe upper layer and a complementary color thereof, toward thephotosensitive layer of the upper layer; a light source for a lowerlayer, which irradiates light, which has a color included in silverimages in a photosensitive layer of the lower layer and a complementarycolor thereof, toward the photosensitive layer of the lower layer; alight source for an intermediate layer, which irradiates light, whichhas a color included in silver images in a photosensitive layer of theintermediate layer and a complementary color thereof, toward thephotosensitive layer of the upper layer or the photosensitive layer ofthe lower layer; and a reading sensor, which reads image informationcorresponding to light reflected by the upper and lower layers of thecolor photographic film, and image information corresponding to lighttransmitted through the color photographic film.

Specifically, image information relating to a cyan-dye image and asilver image in a red photosensitive layer is obtained by detectingreflected light by using R light, image information relating to amagenta-dye image and a silver image in a green photosensitive layer isobtained by detecting transmitted light by using G light, and imageinformation relating to a yellow-dye image and a silver image in a bluephotosensitive layer is obtained by detecting reflected light by using Blight.

1. An image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a colorphotosensitive material, which has at least three types ofphotosensitive layers containing blue photosensitive, greenphotosensitive and red photosensitive silver halide emulsions on atransmissive support, and which has been processed, after imageexposure, so as to generate silver images in each of the photosensitivelayers, said apparatus comprising: light sources, which irradiate lightat an emulsion surface side and a support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material, respectively; sensors, which read reflectedimages corresponding to lights reflected by each of the emulsion surfaceside and the support surface side of the color photosensitive material,and which read a transmitted image corresponding to a light transmittedthrough the color photosensitive material; and a reading conditionschanging portion, which changes reading conditions of said sensors onthe basis of information applied to the color photosensitive material.2. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the readingconditions include at least one of reading timing and number of times ofreading.
 3. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theinformation is one of information instructing reading in accordance witha state of the silver image, or information representing a type of thecolor photosensitive material.
 4. An image reading apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said reading conditions changing portion changes thereading timing by changing a conveying speed of the color photosensitivematerial.
 5. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid sensors are area sensors, and said reading conditions changingportion changes the reading timing of the area sensors in a state inwhich the color photosensitive material is not being conveyed.
 6. Animage reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a datacomposing portion, in which a predetermined weighting factor is appliedto each of image data of one frame image, which image data is obtainedby a number of readings, so as to make the weighted image data into onecomposite image data.
 7. An image recording medium, on which image dataread by an image reading apparatus, together with reading conditionsunder which an image relating to the image data is read, are recorded;wherein the image reading apparatus is an apparatus for reading an imagerecorded on a color photosensitive material, which has at least threetypes of photosensitive layers containing blue photosensitive, greenphotosensitive and red photosensitive silver halide emulsions on atransmissive support, and which has been processed, after imageexposure, so as to generate silver images in each of the photosensitivelayers, said apparatus comprising: light sources, which irradiate lightat an emulsion surface side and a support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material, respectively; sensors, which read reflectedimages corresponding to lights reflected by each of the emulsion surfaceside and the support surface side of the color photosensitive material,and which read a transmitted image corresponding to a light transmittedthrough the color photosensitive material; and a reading conditionschanging portion, which changes reading conditions of said sensors onthe basis of information applied to the color photosensitive material.8. An image forming apparatus, which regenerates a plurality of imagedata for one frame image, which image data are recorded on an imagerecording medium, by applying a predetermined weighting factor inaccordance with conditions under which the image is read, so as to formthe image; wherein the image recording medium is a medium, on whichimage data read by an image reading apparatus, together with readingconditions under which an image relating to the image data is read, arerecorded; wherein the image reading apparatus is an apparatus forreading an image recorded on a color photosensitive material, which hasat least three types of photosensitive layers containing bluephotosensitive, green photosensitive and red photosensitive silverhalide emulsions on a transmissive support, and which has beenprocessed, after image exposure, so as to generate silver images in eachof the photosensitive layers, said apparatus comprising: light sources,which irradiate light at an emulsion surface side and a support surfaceside of the color photosensitive material, respectively; sensors, whichread reflected images corresponding to lights reflected by each of theemulsion surface side and the support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material, and which read a transmitted imagecorresponding to a light transmitted through the color photosensitivematerial; and a reading conditions changing portion, which changesreading conditions of said sensors on the basis of information appliedto the color photosensitive material.
 9. An image reading apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said light sources irradiate light, havingat least one of wavelength and light quantity being different from thatof the other, at the emulsion surface side and the support surface sideof the color photosensitive material, respectively.
 10. An image readingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein quantity of light irradiated atthe support surface side and quantity of light irradiated at theemulsion surface side can be changed in accordance with the type of thecolor photosensitive material.
 11. An image reading apparatus accordingto claim 9, wherein said sensors are area sensors.
 12. An image readingapparatus for reading an image recorded on a color photosensitivematerial, which has at least three types of photosensitive layerscontaining blue photosensitive, green photosensitive and redphotosensitive silver halide emulsions on a transmissive support, andwhich has been processed, after image exposure, so as to generate silverimages in each of the photosensitive layers, said apparatus comprising:light sources, which irradiate light at an emulsion surface side and asupport surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively;and area sensors, which read reflected images corresponding to lightsreflected by each of the emulsion surface side and the support surfaceside of the color photosensitive material, and which read a transmittedimage corresponding to a light transmitted through the colorphotosensitive material.
 13. An image reading apparatus according toclaim 12, which extracts property quantities for reflected images and atransmitted image read by said sensors, and makes the reflected imagesand the transmitted image into one composite image on the basis of theextracted property quantities, so that the reflected images and thetransmitted image are coincident with each other.
 14. An image readingapparatus according to claim 12, wherein said light sources irradiatelight having different wavelengths, at the emulsion surface side and thesupport surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively,such that the reflected images and the transmitted image aresimultaneously read.
 15. An image reading apparatus according to claim12, wherein said light sources irradiate light alternately at theemulsion surface side and the support surface side, respectively, suchthat the reflected image at the emulsion surface side and the reflectedimage at the support surface side are alternately read, and thetransmitted image is read simultaneously with one of the reflected imageat the emulsion surface side and the reflected image at the supportsurface side.
 16. An image reading apparatus according to claim 12,which reads one image a number of times in accordance with a state ofthe silver image.
 17. An image reading apparatus according to claim 12,wherein said light sources irradiate infrared light.
 18. An imagereading apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a first lightsource, which irradiates light at the emulsion surface side of the colorphotosensitive material; a second light source, which irradiates lightat the support surface side of the color photosensitive material; afirst sensor, which reads a reflected image at the emulsion surfaceside, which image corresponds to light reflected by the emulsion surfaceside of the color photosensitive material; and a second sensor, whichreads a reflected image at the support surface side, which imagecorresponds to light reflected by the support surface side of the colorphotosensitive material.
 19. An image reading apparatus according toclaim 18, wherein said second sensor reads a transmitted image whichcorresponds to light irradiated from said first light source andtransmitted through the color photosensitive material.
 20. An imagereading apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first sensor readsa transmitted image which corresponds to light irradiated from saidsecond light source and transmitted through the color photosensitivematerial.
 21. An image reading apparatus according to claim 18, whereinreading ranges on the color photosensitive material by said first sensorare set so that adjacent reading ranges partially overlap with eachother.
 22. An image reading apparatus according to claim 18, whereinreading ranges on the color photosensitive material by said secondsensor are set so that adjacent reading ranges partially overlap witheach other.